Cincinnati in top 5 for rental profits

Cincinnati was ranked among the most profitable in the short term for landlords to rent property.(Photo: The Enquirer/Leigh Taylor)Buy Photo

Think twice before you sell your home, Cincinnatians.

It may be more profitable to rent it out, at least in the short-term, according to a recent study by Zillow.

The Queen City is ranked fourth among the top 50 metro areas in the United States in the study for having the best short-term returns on rental properties.

Rental property owners, who have lived in their home for several years, can expect to profit $385 per month and $4,621 annually on the median home after covering their full mortgage payment and accounting for maintenance, taxes and vacancies, according to Zillow.

When it comes to long-term profits, Cincinnati is not among the heavy earners.

San Jose, which ranks last in short-term profitability in the study, is the top metro area for long-term profits. After holding the property for six years, property owners in San Jose can expect to profit $8,927 a month. In the short term, San Jose rental property owners stand to lose $1,211 a month.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati landlords can expect to profit $1,286 a month as a long-term investment.